Identity Based Motivation: The Impact on Student Identity During COVID-19 at a Small Midwestern University

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to examine student identity in the midst of COVID-19 and its impact on motivation to study. This research assessed the extent to which students were motivated to fully engage in classes after being moved to an online platform and their identity as a university student. The student population assessed were students at a small Midwestern University in Illinois. Following from the research on identity and student populations, the primary focus was the extent to which students’ identity was impacted as a result of COVID-19 and the level they perceive it had on their motivation to study and engage in an online environment. A quantitative design was crafted and data collection was obtained through an online survey containing 7 demographic questions and 14 questions to get at identity and motivation. The results showed that identity appears to be a driving factor of student motivation.